As a usually Democratic voter who will opt for McCain regardless, I have no official preferences for veep and leave it to Republicans to sort out. Here are my thoughts, for what they are worth:
- Joe Lieberman: Michael Tomasky made a good point in this vlog with Rich Lowry--if McCain is running as a man of experience and judgment, then why blow the box completely open by choosing a guy from the other party? Leave Lieberman for a cabinet position.
- Tom Ridge: If McCain likes him, why not? Personally, I like him best. He's got gravitas and is utterly credible as second in command or top dog if something happens. He could conceivably help win Pennsylvania. McCain will be more comfortable on the trail if he's working with a guy he likes, and McCain's comfort level is important.
- Mitt Romney: The consensus choice works fine. It just leaves the ticket open to the same charges they've been making against Biden, and those ads have been very effective.
- Pawlenty: No. He's boring, brings nothing, and in his one big campaign job (the debate), Biden will eat him alive.
- A Woman: NOT PALIN. If McCain wants to pick a veep who might appeal to Clinton voters, then under no circumstances should he go with a generally inexperienced candidate whose primary appeal is her cuteness. This isn't a Fox News anchor.
This may sound counterintuitive, but if a woman is to have any appeal at all to Clinton voters, she should be solid, experienced, and older--that is, she should be the female Tom Ridge. I am not well-versed in my long-term Republican female politicians, but in the Senate, two that come to mind are Kay Bailey Hutchison and Olympia Snowe, both of whom are, alas, pro-choice and Snowe may be too liberal to warrant consideration at all. The signal sent with Hutchison, in particular, would be extraordinarily powerful. Women of the boomer era and beyond had a tough time listening to DNC party officials rave about Obama's youth and vigor and charisma, implicitly dismissing Hillary as old and dull. This still rankles, and if McCain wants a woman on the ticket, he should choose with that in mind. (Note: Condi Rice falls into this category too and yes, she should be considered.)
Note to conservatives: can you let up a bit on the pro-choice avoidance for veep? Ask for some sort of pledge and let it go. This isn't about appealing to Democrats, but rather to allow McCain some leeway. Stop demanding that the job be a platform for tomorrow's leaders, can't you? No one will suddenly confuse the Republicans for a pro-choice party just because McCain picks Ridge. Thanks for your consideration in this matter.Aug 26, 08 05:35 PM